1996 Ford Windstar Owner's Manual - Page 247

Driving Your Windstar RWARNING When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone. RWARNING If the parking brake is fully released, but the Brake System light remains on, have the brakes checked immediately. They may not be working properly. The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but you can use the parking brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if the service brakes fail. However, since the parking brake does not stop your vehicle as quickly as the normal brakes, the stopping distance will increase greatly. Driving Under Special Conditions Tips for Safe Driving As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and handle differently from your previous vehicle. Use greater care until you become accustomed to its features and driving characteristics. Always operate your vehicle within reasonable limits. Abrupt changes in acceleration, deceleration, turning, or combinations of these maneuvers can cause a vehicle to behave differently than anticipated, especially when road conditions vary. 245